🌱 Winds Cause Death In Asheville + Fires & Power Outages Due To Wind

Hey, neighbors. It's Monday in Asheville and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Cooler; an a.m. shower or two. High: 58 Low: 45.
• Tuesday: Clouds and sun with a shower. High: 76 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories in Asheville today:

1. A spokesperson for Biltmore confirmed that an employee died on Saturday evening, Apr. 1, when a tree fell during high winds in Asheville. The spokesperson said the incident was "devastating to all of us on the Biltmore team and we all feel the weight of this heartbreaking event." The employee's identity has not been released as of Apr. 2. This is the second incident in Biltmore since June 2022, when a falling tree killed Casey Skudin, a New York City Fire Department firefighter. (WLOS)
2. On Saturday, Apr. 1, strong storms and high winds in the Asheville area caused several trees to fall onto roadways, power outages, and fires. There was also a water outage caused by a power outage at a pump station that was restored on Saturday night, according to Asheville City Water. There were at least two brush fires and wildfires in Buncombe County, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. (WLOS)
3. Asheville police are investigating a hit-and-run that occurred on Patton Avenue at about 1 a.m. on Friday. Police reported that a vehicle crashed into a pedestrian who was walking with their bicycle. As of Apr. 2, the pedestrian is in critical condition at Mission Hospital. Investigators believe a red, 2000s model Kia Soul was the vehicle involved in the crash. (wyff4.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Monday, April 3

• Freshen Up Comedy Showcase At Noble Cider & Mead Downtown (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, April 4

• Tuesday Bluegrass With Jackson Grimm At Highland Brewing Company (6:00 PM)
• The Winery Dogs At The Orange Peel (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Asheville Police Department arrested 30-year-old Jeremy McCanless on Friday, Mar. 31. He is suspected of robbing the First Citizens Bank on Hendersonville Road. (Fox Carolina)
• Duke Energy confirmed that about 14,000 were without power in Buncombe County on Apr. 1. A Duke Energy spokesperson said, "It is clearly wind-related, and the scattered nature of the outages all across the region also makes clear that this is wind-driven." (Samiar Nefzi TV via Twitter)
• Asheville Humane Society has lots of puppies available for adoption! The $350 puppy adoption fee is waived when you sign up and pay for the Asheville Humane Society's "Puppy Kindergarten" at the time of adoption. (Asheville Humane Society via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!